My Doodlebugs also got into Diwali mode this afternoon as we spoke about what Diwali means to the Hindu community. We looked at pictures of the Temple by the Sea and then they painted a simplified version to what the Picassos are doing :)

Very sweet results! Take a look.

Subscribe to qualify for discounts on future art camps.

Divali is just around the corner and I decided that this year I'm going to have the Picassos paint The Temple by the Sea. This little gem is not only a revered spot in the Hindu community, but it's idyllic location and endearing story has made it a must-see attraction for tourists and locals alike.

I found a story of how this temple was built and I decided to take the time to read it to my Picassos so they could gain an appreciation for what we were going to paint and maybe pick up some of the lessons entrenched in Sewdass Sadhu's determination to realize his vision. You can find the story here.

They did such a good job and the added bonus was the sharing and learning that took place :)

The Doodlebugs were asked if they could open a store to sell anything what would they sell? Then I showed them how to draw a basic storefront and they got to add the details in the store window and design a sign for their shop.

Of course some kiddos needed a little more help then others spelling their shop name etc. but they all got it done! Take a look :)

Subscribe to qualify for discounts on future art camps.

I guess it's fair to say the overriding theme for this term has been perspective. Today the Picassos are looking at perspective yet again but this time they are painting the image of a cat in a window. Through this window you can see buildings and even hills in the far distance.

This is a cute little painting but it was a great way to bring up lots of cool art words like 'foreground', 'middleground' and 'background'. Of course we also looked at the use size and position in creating dimension and depth in a painting. Notice how the buildings in the distance appear to be the same size of the cat!

This will be finished in the coming weeks but take a look at their drawings.

Thursday afternoon Picassos tackle the Cat in the Window... take a look :)

What 8 year old doesn't love to doodle? I think the term Zentangle is relatively new because it's pretty similar to what comes naturally to expert doodlers... lol... but I digress... as usual. Today we looked at using repetitive patterns and lines to create balance and beauty. They were tasked to fill an animal of their choosing with a bunch of zentangle patterns.

The finished animals were then cut out and mounted on coloured 'frames'. ​
The colours chosen would have to fit into one of our predefined colour schemes though... we discussed how analogous (colours next to each other on the colour wheel) and complementary (colours opposite to each other on the colour wheel) can make the viewer feel differently about a picture. Take a look at these beauties!

Subscribe to qualify for discounts on future art camps.

What is it about stamping that little children love so much? The Doodlebugs went to town this afternoon stamping some gorgeous flowers and decorating their own personalized flower pots! Take a look at their colourful creations!

So my Picassos finished their Savannah perspective pieces today. They put in the trees and painted in all the details! Trees, shadows and a gorgeous yellow Poui! Again the focus was on perspective and how things look when they are far away and close up.

Take a look :)

If you want to see the first part of this lesson you can find it here.

Better late than never! My Thursday afternoon Picassos got derailed by the rain last week but they finished their Savannah pieces in fine style :)